Shelf structure with guard for refrigerator doors



Jan. 6, 1948. R. H. MONEY ETAL 2,434,117

SHELF STRUCTURE WITH GUARD FOR REFRIGERATOR DOORS Filed Dc. 10 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 7/ d H II yVENTORJ 22 A1 a 7351' wemf g 15 BY 7 TTORNEY.

Jan. 6, 1948. R. H. MONEY ETAL SHELF STRUCTURE WITH GUARD FOR REFRIGERATOR DOORS Filed Dec. 10, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 7 5 22 ll/ 2V 0/ Patented Jan- 6, 1948 SHELF STRUCTURE WITH GUARD F REFRIGERATOR DOORS Roland H. Money, Mount Healthy, and John W. I Craig. Cincinnati, Ohio, assignors, by mesne assignments, to Avco Manufacturing Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application December 10, 1941, Serial No. 422,422 6 Claims. (01. s12 1ac) of the door of the refrigerator. In'this respect the invention is an improvement over that described and claimed in the patent to West, Reissue No. 19,008, dated November 21, 1933.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel refrigerator door construction having a recessed portion and including a storage shelf disposed partially within and partially without the recess adapted to receive and retain foodstuffs for refrigeration.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a refrigerator door having a recessed portion and provided with a novel shelf construction disposed partially within and partially without the recess in which the shelf co truction includes a vertical rail having a horizo tal flange and a. removable base supported by saidflange.

Another object of this invention is to provide a refrigerator door having an inner liner including a recess therein for receiving a shelf with a shelf disposed in the recess consisting of a vertical member having a horizontally extending flange and having the ends thereof bent to extend along the face of the liner secured to the liner and a shelf bottom removably disposed between the vertical member and the liner.

A still further object is to provide shelf constructions of simple and convenient design and of distinct utility.

The novel features that we consider characteristic of our invention are set forth in the appended claims; the invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of accomplishment together with additional objects and advantages thereof will best be understood from the following description of a specific embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cabinet constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention.

Figure 2 is a horizontal section taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1, with thedoor closed.

Figure 3 is an enlarged view similar to Figure 2, with certain parts either omitted or broken away to show the underlying structure.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary section taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Referringnow to Figures 1 to 4, the cabinet I!) comprises a one-piece metallic casing II and an inner liner l2 also constructed of one piece and preferably made of porcelain covered metal. Between the members II and I2 is provided the usual insulation I3, which may be made of rock wool or other fibrous silicate. There is provided a. primary evaporator I4, shelves I549, meat drawer 20, crisper pan H11, and door 22. A refrigerating mechanism or operating unit, not illustrated, is disposed at the bottom of the cabinet to the rear of the vegetable bin 23. Within the evaporator may be horizontally disposed shelves Ila, Mb, lllc, one or more, of which may be refrigerated, and evaporator doors Md may conveniently be provided. The evaporator doors preferably are mounted on spring hinges Me to keep them closed andavoid interference with the refrigerator door 22.

The door 22 is preferably recessed somewhat as at 24 after the fashion of the door described in the West reissue patent referred to, and providing 2. thickness l3a of insulation between the inner prise breaker strips surface of said recess and the outer shell or covering of the door.

Other features shown in Figures 1 and 2 com- 25, trim 26, door shelves 21, 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d and 21e, retainers 28, door gasket 29 and temperature control 30 to which more detailed reference will hereinafter be given.

The cabinet is divided by the shelf or partition l1, preferably of glass, into an upper compartment A for storing dry or enclosed foodstuffs and a lower compartment B for the storage of foodstuffs, such as leafy vegetables, requiring high humidity conditions. If desired a temperature differential between the two compartments may be maintained. Openings 35 are provided at the rear of said shelf and an adjustable shutter device, is arranged to regulate such openings; Fast fr'eezing is, of course, accomplished within the compartment enclosed by the evaporator l4.

3 The primary evaporator [4 in compartment A is of relatively large capacity and is adapted for the storage of meats and frozen foods as well as for ice-making. In the exemplary embodiment the evaporator is mounted to one sided the cabinet with the shelves l5 and I6 alongside the evaporator, supported on one side by a plurality of studs screwed into the wall of the compartment.

mean? The opposite sides of the shelves are supported by a pair of L-shaped brackets not shown extending about theside and bottom of the evaporator and secured to the top and side wall of the cabinet preferably by screws. The shelves i and l6 rest upon angular lugs not shown. secured to secondary evaporator 3| insulated from the wall or liner [2 by a gasket member 32. The secondary evaporator may be connected to a secondary condenser (not shown), which in turn may be secured to the primary evaporator in the manner described and claimed in the patent of R. H. Money and J. W. Craig, Patent 2,301,313 dated November 10, 1942.

In order to increase the rapidity with which heat may be absorbed by evaporator 3|, the same may be secured to, as by a metallic connection, a finned structure 33a, the fins 34 of which may be formed by doubling over a metallic sheet 33 as shown in Figure 3. The spaces 35 between the fins are advantageously used to direct a current of air upwardly or downwardly within the com-- partment and toward or away from the openings 36 disposed at the rear of the shelf H. The direction of the air current will depend on the temperature and humidity conditions within the compartment B.

It will be noted from an examination of Figures 3 and 4, that the illustrative shelf II consists of a glass panel Ila disposed in a frame I'|b to the rear of which is provided a strip He in which openings 36 are provided. The shelf as a whole therefore may be considered a perforate shelf. Strip l'lc may conveniently assume the form of an angle member having a depending portion l'ld adapted to be secured to liner l2. A sliding shutter 3-! is provided with openings 31a arranged to register with the openings 36,-and an upturned handle 31b may extend through a slot in the strip for regulating the extent of the open space between the two compartments. The strip He may be provided a screw 38 on its lower side and a slot 39 formed in the shutter 31 permits the sliding movement to take place.

The secondary evaporator 3| operates at a refrigerating temperature high enough to substantially eliminate frosting in the compartment B. The compartment B maintains a high degree of humidity to conserve the natural food moisture of its contents yet with a temperature sufiiciently low for safe storage. These conditions are ideal for keeping certain classes of foodstuffs, for example, leafy vegetables, salads, fruits, andsliced meats which normally deteriorate when exposed to the dehydrating influence of the dry cold compartment A, a high percentage of the moisture derived from foods stored there being deposited on the evaporator H in the form of frost.

The shutter 31 provides for the ingress and egress of air between the compartments A and B and may be utilized to maintain a normal dethe refrigerator gree of moisture during excessively humid weather. During such periods, the shutter slide may be conveniently adjusted to a partial or full open position to permit a movement of air between the compartments. Any such movement tends to cause a partial dehydration of the air in compartment B. The shutter adjustment is likewise of utility in maintaining proper humidity for various kinds of foodstuffs. It is to be noted that when there is a temperature diiferential between the two compartments there will be some actual circulation of air therebetween, but when the temperature within the compartments is the same the movement of air will be derived from the difference in vapor pressure between the compartments and will be of small magnitude.

The forward edge of the shelf I1 is provided with a resilient sealing strip. The strip 40, clamped within a groove formed along the edge of the frame I'Ib, is preferably of rubber for making a sealing union with the door shelf 210 when the door is closed. As shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4, for this purpose the door shelf 210 is conveniently provided with a closed bottom 4|, while the remaining shelves 21a, 21b, 21d and 21e disposed within the compartments A and B have their bottoms apertured as at 42 to permit free circulation of air within the respective shelves.

The dividing shelf l1 may be made of glass to render the contents of the lower shelves visible from above and to facilitate cleaning. The plate may be marginally supported within the frame llb upon a flange We of the frame. The frame along its rear edge adjoins the apertured strip I10, which is rigidly secured to the rear wall of the cabinet, and the sideedges of the frame may be supported upon a plurality of studs 43 screwed into the side walls or liner of the cabinet.

Within the compartment B, directly beneath the dividing shelf I! may be disposed a sliding shelf I8 supported along its opposite side edges within channels l8a secured to the side walls of compartment. The channel includes at its forward end a lug I 8b, engageable by a stop I in the form of a rod secured to the shelf, the rod having its end bent at right angles to form a stop, see Figure 4. The shelf may be latched in place by a pivoted latch pin I M engaged against the lug as shown in Figure 4. When this structure is provided and it is desired to withdraw the shelf, the latch pin is raised in an unlatching position permitting the shelf to be pulled outwardly. The bent portion of rod I80 engaging the lug I 8b ordinarily prevents accidental dislodgement of the shelf from the channels when the shelf is drawn out merely to remove articles therefrom. When it is desired to entirely remove the shelf, the rod I 80 is sprung clear of the lug, thus permitting complete removal.

The lowermost shelf IQ of compartment B may be provided with a drawer type crisper pan I9a preferably formed of sheet metal. The pan is dependingly supported by a pair of channels, for receiving the flanged edges of the pan in sliding engagement. A cover is disposed above the pan and in the illustrated embodiment forms approximately one half of the shelf area, the cover being conveniently made of glass to render the contents of the pan visible from above. The remaining half of the shelf preferably constitutes a wire grid section removably supported within a frame marginally enclosing both the glass cover and the grid section. If desired. this shelf section may also be oi glass substantially duplicating the glass cover. The entire shelf assembly is integrated by a suitable subframe in the form of a. channel extending around three sides of the shelf with the frame secured thereto by welding or other means.

As shown in Fig. 4, the door shelves 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d and 21e, each constitute a vertical member or rail 60 secured at opposite ends to the door liner or frame, each rail having at least one stifiening flange 1 6|, the opposite ends of the rails being bent outwardly and secured to the door, as by screws 60a. Thelower flange 6| supports one edge of a removable base plate or bottom 4| and the opposite edge is supported upon the liner, for instance by a plurality of studs 43 screwed therein. One shelf of the series, for instance 210, may be provided with a pair of U-shaped guards 28, pivotally mounted adjacent rail 60 so that when moved about their pivots to upright position, as shown in Figure 1, they will contact flange 6| and serve primarily for bottles and. the like. The racks are individually pivoted at their lower ends upon the bottom 4|, for instance on lugs 63a struck out from the bottom member 4| as shown in Figure 4. When not in use, the guards may be folded flat on the bottom of the shelf.

The inner and outer walls of the refrigerator cabinet are preferably of one piece stamped sheet metal construction, suitably finished in enamel or porcelain. In order to prevent the assage of heat from the outer shell or wall II to the interior liner l2 across the front of the cabinet, the continuity of the walls is interrupted by suitable heat insulating breaker strips 25 marginally framing the food storage compartment. In order to secure the strips, the respective edges of the inner and outer shells are bent toward each other and outer wall H including a protrudin longitudinal rib 65 upon which the door gasket seats. An angle iron or stile 66 is secured, as by welding, in the corner behind the rib 65 to reinforce the same. The breaker strips are very simply mounted between a pair of molding strips Gland 68 of generally S-shaped configuration indicated generally in Fig, l.

The diagonal seams between the breaker strips at the four corners of the cabinet are concealed by the trim strips 26 overlying the seams. These strips may be conveniently formed of two sections, preferably convex in cross section, telescopically interfitted and with their respective opposite ends hooked over the molding strips 61 and 68, as shown in Figure 1.

The door of the refrigerator is adapted completely to overlie the front margin of the cabinet constituting the breaker strips 25, with the door gasket 29 seated upon the exterior frame extension 65 of the outer wall. The door gasket 29 is preferably of rubber or other resilient material, tubular in cross section and extending around the marginal edge of the door. The tubular configuration lends additional resiliency to the gasket for maintaining a close sealing engagement with the marginal member 65 and molding strip 61. The gasket is secured by means of a longitudinal tongue extending within the interior of the door and clamped between the edge of the door liner I5 and a suitable marginal flange bent inwardly from the exterior shell of the door.

The door liner forming the interior panel or face of the door, is of heat insulating material, preferably of a plastic composition of the synthetic resin type. It is secured by a series of as retainers wise secured to a marginal flange bent inwardly from the exterior shell of the door.

The door includes a suitable latching mechanism which may be of any desired construction. As illustrated in Figure 1, the stationary catch element '80 for the latch is mounted over the face of the breaker strip 25, the door having a recess 8| housing a strike to receive and engage the catch element when the door is closed. The catch element is secured preferably by screws to a reinforcing plate 82, concealed beneath the breaker strips and secured to the res;ective margins of the shells by means of suitable screws or other fastening means. A similar reinforcing plate may be secured at the opp site side of the cabinet.

A temperature control device 30 is located at the front of the cabinet on a bracket 86 formed on the outer bottom edge of the refrigerator. The refrigerator mechanism is preferably placed well back of the lower compartment in order to leave space for a vegetable bin formed integrally with a cover or door 84. The door 84 substantially duplicates the contour of the refrigerator door, so that when both doors are closed the cabinet front presents a relatively uninterrupted vertical surface, with the control device 30 concealed by the refrigerator door.

The control device may be of well known construction having a pointer arm 85 having one end pivotally connected in any desired manner to the temperature regulating apparatus of the refrigerator system. The pointer is arranged to swing in an arc relative to the bracket 86 which may conveniently take the form of a stationary sector plate. The plate maybe provided with suitable graduations or indicia thereon for setting the refrigerator for various temperatures and for defrosting.

The pointer arm lies directly beneath the sector plate 86 and has its outer end or pointer extended around and hooked over the edge of the plate for registry with the indicia thereon.

The vegetable door 84 is preferably pivoted at the bottom so that its upper portion pulls away from the cabinet along the. line 81, a hand hold 88 being provided at the front of the door for this purpose. In order to provide clearance for the pointer, the top of the vegetable door has a semi-circular cut-out sector complementary to the sector plate 86 and slightly larger than the plate to provide a narrow spacing therebetween for accommodating the pointer. Since the pointer is formed of relatively thin flat metal, the spacing or clearance between the plate 86 and the door may be relatively minute and inconspicuous for preserving a neat and finished appearance. The arrangement likewise facilitates manufacture and assembly, since it is not necessary to form a slot or opening in plate 86 for traversing the pointer. If desired, the pointer may be provided with a lug or finger hold to facilitate adjustment.

Since the refrigerating system forms no part of the present invention, it is not deemed necessary to illustrate the same in conjunction with the temperature regulator.

The various improved features of the invention promote cleanliness and provide a refrigerator of economical and rugged construction, extreme simplicity of manufacture and assembly, and give the refrigerator a neat and trim appearance. The improved breaker strip arrangeacacia? ment together with the insulating door liner and improved door gasket promote a high degree of operating efllciency.

The inner and outer shells of the cabinet are securely reinforced at the front by the reinforcing plates 66, rigidifying the cabinet, so that no strain is imparted to the breaker strips,- the breaker strips being free to yield when temperature changes cause contraction or expansion or other strains occurring between the shell and the when space'is needed for storing large articles in the bottom of the compartment. This construction is likewise of advantage in manufac-- ture since the complete unitcan be fabricated outside the cabinet and installed without difiiculty.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:v

1. In a refrigerator door construction having a recessed portion interiorally thereof, and having a storage shelf disposed partially ,within said recessed portion, said shelf comprising a bottom and a rail thereabove, a retaining guard of greater height in upright position than the rail secured to and pivoted on the shelf bottom adjacent said rail whereby said guard may be moved about its pivots to upright position against said rail to provide a second retaining means disposed above the railfor retaining articles on said shelf,

2. A refrigerator door construction having a recessed portion interiorally thereof, and having a storage shelf disposed partially within and partially without said recessed portion, such shelf comprising two parts consisting of a vertical rail having at least one horizontally disposed flange and a removable base supported on said flange, said door having supports disposed within said recessed portion for supporting the other side of said base. 4 a

3. In a refrigerator door construction having a recess therein, a shelf within said recess, said shelf consisting of a vertical retaining member secured to said door, a horizontal supporting member, said vertical member having a bottom flange for supporting one'edge of the horizontal member and said door having projections for supporting the other edge of said horizontal member, and a guard comprising a member se-- cured to and pivoted at an edge of said horizontal supporting member, said member being adapted and arranged optionally to lie fiat along the hori-.

zontal supporting member or to stand upright along said vertical retaining member, and being of a height greater in upright position than the vertical retaining member, which latter limits the upward movement of said member, whereby said guard may be extended vertically above said vertical retaining member for holding tall articles placed upon'said shelf.

4. In a refrigerator door construction having a recess therein, a shelf within said recess, said shelf consisting of a vertical retaining member secured to said door, a horizontal supporting member, said vertical member having a bottom flange for supporting one edge of the horizontal member and said door having projections for supporting the other edge of said horizontal member, and a guard, of greater height in upright position than the vertical retaining member, comprising a member, pivoted at its ends to an edge portion of said horizontal supporting member, said member being thereby adapted and arranged optionally to lie flat along the horizontal supporting member, or to stand upright along said vertical retaining member, which latter limits the upward movement of said member. 5. A refrigerator door comprising an outer shell and an inner liner having studs secured to the face thereof, said door having a recess therein for the reception of shelves, shelves disposed within said recess, each shelf consisting of a vertical member having a horizontally extending flange and having outwardly bent ends extending parallel to the face of said liner, said ends only being secured to said liner, and shelf bottoms removably disposed between said vertical member and said liner and supported upon said horizontal flange and said studs.

6. A refrigerator door comprising an outer shell and an inner liner having a stud secured to the face thereof, saiddoor having a recess therein for the reception of a shelf, a shelf disposed in said recess, said shelf consisting of a vertical member having a horizontally extending flange and having the ends thereof bent parallel to the face of said liner, said ends only being secured to said liner, and a shelf bottom removably disposed between said vertical mem- 40 her and said liner and supported upon said horizontal flange and said stud.

The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Eustis Jan. 6, 1914 

